Ms Julie Bishop asked the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, in writing, on 18 August 2011:

Prior to Cabinet consideration of the tender for the Australia Network contract, (a) what position did the designated advisor on the tender process hold, (b) on what legal basis were they stripped of that role, (c) had they made a decision on who the successful tenderer would be, and (d) what position does the current advisor on the tender process hold.

Dr Emerson: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

In the period since Ms Julie Bishop submitted Questions on Notice 513 to 529 on 18 August 2011, the Government terminated the Australia Network tender process due to significant leaks of confidential information to the media and referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police for investigation. The Auditor-General has also decided to conduct a performance audit of the administration of the Australia Network tender processes. As the Questions on Notice go to matters being considered by the Australian Federal Police and Australian National Audit Office, it would not be appropriate to comment.